Mahottari/ July 26, 2025 .Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has announced a comprehensive response to the worsening drought in the Madhesh region. During a helicopter inspection of the affected areas in Sarlahi and Mahottari on Friday, the Prime Minister pledged the immediate installation of 500 deep borings to address the acute water shortage.
He said that due to the lack of rainfall, paddy planting has been halted, fields lie barren, and ponds have completely dried up. He also revealed a long-term plan to construct reservoirs and ponds in the Chure hills to help recharge groundwater and prevent land from drying out.
Before departing for Mahottari from Kathmandu, PM Oli shared on social media,
“I am heading to inspect drought-affected areas in the Tarai. I will soon meet with local farmers. The government has already taken special decisions for their relief.”
Voices of Distress from Local Farmers
At the inauguration ceremony of the Bighi River bridge in Matihani, a woman from the crowd cried out to the Prime Minister,
“We’re dying without water. How can we feed our children? Not a single farmer can survive like this—everything will be destroyed this year.”
As PM Oli did not understand her lament, Labor, Employment, and Social Security Minister Sharatsingh Bhandari responded to her in Maithili, saying,
“The Prime Minister has already declared Madhesh as a disaster-hit region.”
Government Response and Action Plan
PM Oli emphasized that seven districts in Madhesh are facing severe drought conditions, though areas like Saptari—close to the Koshi River—have been relatively less affected. He said that temporary relief measures are being implemented while long-term infrastructure is being planned.
The lack of drinking and irrigation water has led the Council of Ministers to officially declare Madhesh a disaster-affected region. PM Oli stressed the importance of coordinated efforts by government agencies and NGOs to tackle the crisis.
Provincial Leadership and Local Needs
Madhesh Province Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh stated that the province had already declared a drought emergency on Asar 26 (July 10). He said that even the groundwater boreholes in Bara and Parsa had dried up, and the Nepal Army was currently distributing drinking water with fire trucks.
He added that despite spending the entire provincial budget, the problem remains unresolved and federal assistance is crucial.
Mahanta Thakur, Chairman of the Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP), warned that without urgent solutions, the region could face famine.
“Even where paddy was planted, it’s now drying up due to drought. Livestock are also in danger. Water must be brought in from Koshi in the east and Gandak in the west,” he said.
Development and Infrastructure
While inaugurating the Bighi bridge connecting Matihani and Janakpur, PM Oli claimed that development efforts have accelerated.
“Previously, only 9–10 bridges or roads were built annually. This past year alone, 950 bridges have been constructed. Now, 15,000 kilometers of roads have been blacktopped,” he asserted.
Conclusion:
With PM Oli’s immediate and long-term drought mitigation promises, the attention now turns to implementation. The people of Madhesh are desperately waiting for action, not just announcements.
